Q&A with Chicago Sky Point Guard Kristi Toliver
8/5/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Aug. 5, 2009
Former Maryland All-American Kristi Toliver took a couple of moments from her rookie season with the Chicago Sky to answer a few questions for umterps.com. The Sky point guard is averaging 6.7 points and 2.4 assists per game as Chicago currently stands in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Terps' all-time leader in assists and 3-point field goals touches on the transition from college to professional basketball, the city of Chicago and what she misses about Maryland.
Q: How has the transition from college to the professional ranks been for you thus far in your rookie campaign?
A: It has been a transition that's for sure. There is nothing like college basketball! I do have great teammates in Chicago, so that has made things much better for me.
Q: Which player or players on the Sky has helped you the most in this transition?
A: AP (Armintie Price) and K.B. (Sharp) are who I really lean on the most. They have shared their experiences with me and have been encouraging me through this transition.
Q: What were your feelings coming back to DC to face former teammates, Crystal and Marissa, in front of many Terp fans this summer?
A: It was awesome coming to DC! It was great to see all the red in the stands and to hear the cheers when I came into the game for the first time. It was even better hearing them silent when I started making some shots towards the end (laughs).
Q: What do you like about Chicago? Does it feel like "home" yet?
A: Chicago is a really nice city. The people here are really nice and there is always something to do. Home will always be back on the east coast!
Q: You played 35 minutes per game and advanced deep into March in the Elite Eight as a senior before the Draft, then training camp and right into the WNBA season. How do you have such good stamina and how are the legs?
A: My body feels just fine. I still got my youth so I'm in good shape, but ask me that question after I come back from overseas and I might have a different answer!
Q: What are your expectations for the Sky heading into the second half of the season?
A: The sky's the limit. This team has a lot of talent, so we will see how far we can go.
Q: What do you miss most about being at Maryland?
A: Everything. My teammates, coaches, friends, Comcast Center, the atmosphere, etc. There's no place like home.
Q: What is your fondest memory of Coach Frese?
A: A memory that will always stick out in my head is when we played UNC in the Final Four and me having 12 turnovers in the game, but her making me feel like I had two. The confidence she instilled in me was super my freshman year and that is something that I'll always carry with me.
